Carlos
Carlos

Movie spotlight

Carlos

2023
Movie
87 min
English

This lively and intimately-crafted documentary immerses the audience in rock icon Carlos Santana's life and musical trajectory. Filmmaker Rudy Valdez bolsters this personal narrative with pulsating, never-before-seen footage — guided by Santana himself, in his own words.

Insights

IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes88%
Metacritic86/100
Google Users85%
Director: Olivier AssayasGenres: Biography, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

This epic miniseries chronicles the life of Carlos the Jackal, a Venezuelan terrorist who became one of the most wanted fugitives in the world during the 1970s and 1980s. It follows his rise from a radical political activist to a notorious international mercenary involved in numerous bombings, hijackings, and assassinations across Europe and the Middle East. The narrative details his complex relationships, ideological shifts, and relentless pursuit by intelligence agencies.

Critical Reception

Critically acclaimed for its scope, ambition, and Édgar Ramírez's powerhouse performance, 'Carlos' was widely praised for its nuanced portrayal of a complex and controversial figure. Critics lauded Olivier Assayas's detailed and immersive direction, capturing the political turbulence of the era and the chilling enigma of its subject. While its lengthy runtime was noted, most agreed it was essential for the depth of its storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully crafted, sprawling biopic that delves deep into the psyche of a notorious terrorist.

  • Édgar Ramírez delivers a career-defining performance as the charismatic and terrifying Carlos the Jackal.

  • Olivier Assayas expertly reconstructs a turbulent historical period and a fascinatingly complex character.

Google audience: Audience reviews consistently highlight the compelling and immersive nature of the series, with many praising Édgar Ramírez's magnetic performance. Viewers found the detailed historical context and the exploration of Carlos's motivations to be particularly engaging, though some noted its demanding length.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and received multiple Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Édgar Ramírez.

Fun Fact

The film's production involved shooting in numerous international locations, including Paris, Vienna, Budapest, and Beirut, to authentically capture the global scope of Carlos the Jackal's activities.

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